How many plants should you put in a hanging basket
William Taylor
Updated on March 30, 2026
A general rule of thumb when planting a hanging basket is to use one plant per inch of basket diameter – so 12 plants per 30cm (12″) hanging basket. The only exception to this is when you use strong-growing plants such as Fuchsias and Geraniums (Pelargoniums).
Can you put too many plants in a hanging basket?
If you are considering hanging baskets, it’s important that you properly space your plants so that they have enough room to grow. If you use too many plants they can compete against east other and not do as well or look as full as if you had used fewer plants.
How many flowers should I plant in a hanging basket?
We recommend 3 Wave plants in a 10-12 inch (25-30cm) container. Increase your plants as your container size goes up. Too many plants in a small container will have your Wave Petunias or Cool Wave Pansies fighting for the nutrients they need to spread and cascade over the sides.
How many plants can I put in a 12 inch hanging basket?
How many plants should I put in a standard Basket? For a 12” hanging basket (not including any side panels) 6-7 plants. For a 14” hanging basket (not including any side panels) 7-8 plants. For a 16” hanging basket (not including any side panels) 8-9 plants.How many plants can I put in a 10 inch hanging basket?
Generally I would use 3 or maybe 4 plants in 10 or 12-inch planters, 4 to 6 plants in a 14 to 16-inch planter and Six to 8 plants in an 16 to 20-inch planter and so on. With the traditional planting, you need to have a bit of patience to get a completely full planter.
What is the best flowers for hanging baskets?
- Petunia. These colourful blossoms bring joy wherever they are. …
- Portulaca. Portulaca or sun rose is a great plant variety to grow if you live in a hot and dry region. …
- Geranium. …
- Fuschia. …
- Impatiens. …
- Lantana. …
- Begonia. …
- Sweet alyssum.
How many petunias should I put in a hanging basket?
It’s easy to think you should really fill your basket but with Wave plants, we recommend planting about three plants per every ten inches of container. Planting too many petunias will mean that your plants begin competing for nutrients found in the soil.
How many petunias are in a 14 inch basket?
YOu need atleast 6 – 7 plants in a 14″ pot. I grow and sell hanging baskets out of my greenhouse.How many plants are in a 30cm hanging basket?
Plant spacing A general rule of thumb when planting a hanging basket is to use one plant per inch of basket diameter – so 12 plants per 30cm (12″) hanging basket. The only exception to this is when you use strong-growing plants such as Fuchsias and Geraniums (Pelargoniums).
When should I plant my hanging baskets?When to plant a hanging basket Plant winter hanging baskets between September and October, and it doesn’t matter if they are frosted as the plants are should be hardy. You would normally plant up a long-lasting perennial hanging basket from April onwards, depending on the types of plants being used.
Article first time published onWhat to put in hanging baskets?
- Summer bedding plants. These are the most popular plants for hanging baskets – think petunias, geraniums, calibrachoa and trailing fuchsias, verbena and lobelia.
- Young small shrubs. …
- Tomatoes. …
- Herbs.
How many begonias are in a hanging basket?
When planting up hanging baskets, allow 3 tubers for each 12” basket. Immediately after potting, water well and then grow them on in bright, frost-free conditions, watering only when the compost gets quite dry.
What plants are good for pots all year round?
- ‘Golden Sword’ yucca combines with almost anything. …
- ‘Green Mountain’ boxwood keeps its color all year. …
- Golden creeping Jenny is perfect for the edge of the pot. …
- 4. Japanese pieris has colorful new growth. …
- ‘Emerald’ arborvitae works where you need some height.
How long do petunias last in hanging baskets?
To tackle the first part of the question, petunias can live for 2 or 3 years but generally behave as annuals because they can’t survive the freezing temperatures of the winter.
How do you keep petunia hanging baskets looking good?
Hanging petunia plants will most likely need to be watered daily during the summer, and maybe even twice, when the weather is extremely hot and/or there is a strong wind. Water well enough that the excess water will drip out of the drain hole. Never allow the soil to remain continually wet.
Do petunias do well in hanging baskets?
Petunias are perfect for locations exposed to full sunlight. Look for cascading petunias, which include any variety that produces flowers on long, flowing stems. Planting petunias in hanging baskets is a cinch, as long as you use a sturdy container with at least one drainage hole.
How often should I water my hanging baskets?
How often should I water them? In the heat of the summer you should be watering your containers and hanging baskets every day. On hot, windy or humid days you may need to water more than once. And on rainy days you may not need to water at all.
How many plants can you put in a 9 hanging basket?
PlantCarnation (trailing)Eezee Hanging Basket1022cm (9″) basket630cm (12″) basket1030cm (12″) patio container8
What to plant with petunias in hanging baskets?
- Trailing Verbena. Trailing verbena can compliment Wave petunias very well. …
- Calibrachoa (Million Bells) Million Bells are another vigorous grower shouldn’t get overtaken by Wave petunias. …
- Geraniums. Looking for some height? …
- Sweet Potato Vines.
Is vinca good for hanging baskets?
For a bright sunny spot Black-eyed Susan, Geranium, Petunia, Nasturtium, Portulaca, Verbena, Dahlberg Daisy, and Annual Vinca work well. These are just a few suggestions to help you and your hanging baskets through the upcoming summer.
How often should I feed my hanging baskets?
You should feed hanging baskets a maximum of once every two weeks. You can feed them more or less depending on the concentration of the fertilizer you are using. It’s much better to feed them less than over-feed as you may kill the plants.
What plants go in a hanging basket?
- Begonia x tuberhybrida.
- Fuchsias.
- Petunias.
- Bacopa.
- Lobelia.
- Calibrachoa.
- Geraniums (Pelargoniums)
- Osteospermum.
How many petunias are in a container?
When planting petunias in containers, be sure not to crowd your plants, limiting yourself to three per 12-inch (30 cm.) pot. If your petunias start to flag or grow leggy, cut them back and fertilize them. They should branch out with vigor.
Should you water plants at night or in the morning?
The best time to water plants is in the morning or evening. Morning watering is actually preferable to evening watering as the plant has time to dry before the sun goes down. At night, water tends to rest in the soil, around the roots, and on the foliage, which encourages rot, fungal growth, and insects.
What plants are best for hanging baskets in winter?
Suitable plants for winter hanging baskets include pansies, violas, thymes, ivies, little cyclamen, and primroses. You can also under-plant with bulbs such as Daffodil ‘Tete-a-Tete’, crocus or dwarf irises. Make sure you include some trailing plants to spill over the edges of the basket, or to grow from the sides.
What can I use instead of a hanging basket?
- Glass jars, if you don’t have any ask friends to save them for you. anything from baby food to mayonaise jars work. …
- Some sturdy wire. Old hangers work great for this.
- Wire cutters.
- Sand (dirt will do in a pinch).
- Votive or candles that will work best with the size of jars you are using.
Do begonias do well in hanging baskets?
Most varieties of begonias grow great in sun or shade, making them a great choice for a hanging basket. Begonias are great for providing a full, drooping effect to your hanging basket.
How far apart should I plant begonias?
Plant wax begonia transplants 6 to 8 inches apart and others according to their mature size. Tubers can be started indoors by placing the tubers, hollow side up, 1 inch apart in a shallow tray with moist potting mix.
What sizes do plant pots come in?
Pot SizePot Diameter (Top)Pot Diameter (Base)1 Litre13.0cm4″2 Litre17.0cm4.5″3 Litre19.0cm5″4 Litre20.0cm6″
What tall plants can be grown in pots?
- 01 of 20. Agave (Agave) …
- 02 of 20. Amaranth (Amaranthus) …
- 03 of 20. Arborvitae (Thuja) …
- 04 of 20. Bamboo (Bambusoideae) …
- 05 of 20. Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) …
- 06 of 20. Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea) …
- 07 of 20. Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) …
- 08 of 20. Canna Lily (Canna × generalis)
What flower blooms all year long?
- #1. Angelonia. This gorgeous, drought-tolerant flower is the perfect annual for a gardener in the south. …
- #3. Begonia. …
- #5. Zinnia. …
- #7. Cosmos. …
- #9. Dahlias. …
- #11. Geraniums. …
- #13. Stock. …
- #15. Primrose.